Watch Description
What Makes The Springfield 173 Unique:
The Springfield 173 carries a distinctly balanced, early 20th-century aesthetic, anchored by a clean enamel dial that feels both precise and expressive. Bold black Arabic numerals stretch slightly in proportion, giving the dial a subtle sense of verticality, while the outer minute track is punctuated by red five-minute markers—an understated but highly functional detail collectors tend to appreciate. At 6 o’clock, the recessed sub-seconds register is crisply defined, maintaining excellent legibility and reinforcing the watch’s original purpose as a reliable timekeeping instrument.
A closer look reveals character that only time can produce. The enamel dial shows light hairlines and subtle surface aging, particularly near the lower right quadrant, adding authenticity without compromising readability. These are the kinds of honest imperfections that collectors look for—not damage, but evidence of a century lived. The blued-steel hands retain their rich tone, offering contrast against the bright dial while preserving the watch’s period-correct styling.
Inside, the watch is powered by a 17-jewel Illinois movement manufactured in 1917, placing it firmly within the era when American watchmaking was operating at its peak of industrial precision. The movement features classic Geneva striping across the bridges, complemented by polished steel components and gold-plated gears that catch the light as the watch runs. The engraving remains crisp, and the overall architecture reflects Illinois’ reputation for producing dependable, well-finished movements intended for daily use.
The movement layout itself is clean and symmetrical, with the gear train and balance assembly clearly visible through the exhibition caseback. For collectors, this kind of visual clarity matters—it allows the craftsmanship to be appreciated without obstruction, and the finishing patterns to stand on their own.
The watch is housed in a 316L stainless steel case with a tumbled finish, giving it a softer, more matte appearance compared to traditional polished cases. This treatment adds a slightly utilitarian edge, contrasting nicely with the refined dial and movement within. The crown remains positioned at 12 o’clock, preserving the original pocket watch orientation and reinforcing the historical lineage of the piece. Paired with a 22mm cognac leather strap, the overall presentation feels cohesive—warm, wearable, and grounded in its heritage.
The Springfield 173 stands out not by excess, but by restraint. It offers a well-preserved example of early Illinois craftsmanship, paired with honest dial aging and a thoughtfully finished case that enhances rather than distracts from the watch’s history.
Movement Manufacturer Information
The movement inside of this watch was made by Illinois Watch Company. We call this model "The Springfield" because the company was located in Springfield, Illinois.
Originally called the Springfield Watch Company, Illinois came to Springfield, Illinois in 1869 while the "modern" watch industry was fairly new but highly promising. City officials felt that the addition of industry to the city of Springfield would be excellent for the city's growth. However, after a series of failures and re-brandings, the company had a slow start until 1903 when they decided to manufacture high-quality watches only. Eventually making some of the most beautiful watches of their time, the company sold to Hamilton in 1927. Hamilton continued producing watches under the Illinois name for some time, but the original Springfield factory no longer stands.
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Watch Specifications
- Manufacturer: Vortic Watch Company
- Model Year: 2025
- Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
- Case Diameter: 45mm
- Case Material: Machined Stainless Steel
- Crown/Hardware: Stainless Steel
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: 22mm Cognac Leather Strap with Steel Buckle
Movement
- Manufacturer: Illinois Watch Company
- Serial Number: 3200761
- Manufacture Year: 1917
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
What Makes The Springfield 173 Unique:
The Springfield 173 carries a distinctly balanced, early 20th-century aesthetic, anchored by a clean enamel dial that feels both precise and expressive. Bold black Arabic numerals stretch slightly in proportion, giving the dial a subtle sense of verticality, while the outer minute track is punctuated by red five-minute markers—an understated but highly functional detail collectors tend to appreciate. At 6 o’clock, the recessed sub-seconds register is crisply defined, maintaining excellent legibility and reinforcing the watch’s original purpose as a reliable timekeeping instrument.
A closer look reveals character that only time can produce. The enamel dial shows light hairlines and subtle surface aging, particularly near the lower right quadrant, adding authenticity without compromising readability. These are the kinds of honest imperfections that collectors look for—not damage, but evidence of a century lived. The blued-steel hands retain their rich tone, offering contrast against the bright dial while preserving the watch’s period-correct styling.
Inside, the watch is powered by a 17-jewel Illinois movement manufactured in 1917, placing it firmly within the era when American watchmaking was operating at its peak of industrial precision. The movement features classic Geneva striping across the bridges, complemented by polished steel components and gold-plated gears that catch the light as the watch runs. The engraving remains crisp, and the overall architecture reflects Illinois’ reputation for producing dependable, well-finished movements intended for daily use.
The movement layout itself is clean and symmetrical, with the gear train and balance assembly clearly visible through the exhibition caseback. For collectors, this kind of visual clarity matters—it allows the craftsmanship to be appreciated without obstruction, and the finishing patterns to stand on their own.
The watch is housed in a 316L stainless steel case with a tumbled finish, giving it a softer, more matte appearance compared to traditional polished cases. This treatment adds a slightly utilitarian edge, contrasting nicely with the refined dial and movement within. The crown remains positioned at 12 o’clock, preserving the original pocket watch orientation and reinforcing the historical lineage of the piece. Paired with a 22mm cognac leather strap, the overall presentation feels cohesive—warm, wearable, and grounded in its heritage.
The Springfield 173 stands out not by excess, but by restraint. It offers a well-preserved example of early Illinois craftsmanship, paired with honest dial aging and a thoughtfully finished case that enhances rather than distracts from the watch’s history.
Let customers speak for us
The Movement
The engine that powers this watch is an antique American pocket watch movement. All the gears and springs that make it tell time are roughly 100 years old on average. We call these watches the American Artisan Series because we're celebrating the history and legacy of the artisan watchmakers who built this engineering marvel a century ago in the United States.
The Story
Today most pocket watches are scrapped for the gold or silver of the case (the outside of the antique timepiece), leaving the inside (what we call the "movement") as trash.
We take pride in upcycling these pieces of American history by salvaging as many as we can, then preserving them inside our wristwatches.
Our expert team of watchmakers restores the antique movement and then we manufacture a custom wristwatch case here in Fort Collins, Colorado.
The Strap
We partnered with Worn & Wound to produce a custom set of straps for our American Artisan Series watches. We now have 15 different colors to choose from including our two Horween Shell Cordovan options. These straps are made in the USA and are based on the Windup Model 2 Premium strap that Worn and Wound offers.
